I bought a 99 XJ front HP D30 and a ~93 YJ front HP D30 from a fellow jeepforum member last week.

I installed a 4.88 8.8 in the rear and need to get a matching front axle. I decided that I would just rebuild a different used axle so I would be able to drive the jeep (in 2wd) while rebuilding the new front.

My plan WAS to use the used YJ with the XJ shafts. I would regear it and grab an Aussie locker when they become available again.

My mechanic pointed out that the front YJ axle tubes have extra weak points due to the linkage for the CAD which I won't even be using. He said I should just redo the spring perches / shock tabs on the XJ and use that instead.

The XJ axle had antilock brakes but they weren't included.

Can I use my rotors and disc calipers from my 94 front YJ axle in that 99 XJ axle? Are there any other reasons I should or should not use the XJ axle instead?

I agree, lots of work for little gain. I thought about this a while back. The only reason it would have been worth it is for the high pinion, but the yj ( I think all of them) have this already. I would do it for a tj though. Little work for the high pinion.

Sent from my iPhone using JeepForum

F/S Dana 35, 4:10, open make an offer, local pick up only, will not ship. 3-8-13

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I agree, lots of work for little gain. I thought about this a while back. The only reason it would have been worth it is for the high pinion, but the yj ( I think all of them) have this already. I would do it for a tj though. Little work for the high pinion.

Thanks for the reply but I don't understand the response. My XJ front HPD30 should be almost exactly the same as a TJ front axle. It has coil and track bar mounts and no leaf spring perches. Both have no CAD.

Thanks for the reply but I don't understand the response. My XJ front HPD30 should be almost exactly the same as a TJ front axle. It has coil and track bar mounts and no leaf spring perches. Both have no CAD.

How about this, if you had the Jeep Spirit, you wouldn't abuse the rest of us trying to enjoy a nice day out wheeling by bringing your brokeass broken down junkyard crap out to play where it can't handle it?

Thanks for the reply but I don't understand the response. My XJ front HPD30 should be almost exactly the same as a TJ front axle. It has coil and track bar mounts and no leaf spring perches. Both have no CAD.

Am I missing something?

The point is the YJ axle can be bolted back in, the XJ need the mounts ground off and set up for leaf springs. The YJ HP30 will be fine and the CAD section is not a weak point to worry about.

You could probably sell the XJ housing to a TJ guy with no shafts for $100+ and make some money toward your locker. YJ axles are a dome a dozen.

How about this, if you had the Jeep Spirit, you wouldn't abuse the rest of us trying to enjoy a nice day out wheeling by bringing your brokeass broken down junkyard crap out to play where it can't handle it?

DillonJM, It looks like you did the HPD30 w/4.88 and Spartan locker which is now exactly what I'm planning to do.

Did you keep your YJ shafts or upgrade to TJ/XJ? Was there any problem with the locker and that larger ring gear?

I didn't have any issues on the front 30 between the ring gear/locker/crosspin. It all went together easily.

I initially ran my stock YJ shafts, worked fine on the street and for most of one wheeling trip. Then on the last obstacle of the day I grenaded the driver side u-joint. I considered some chromos, but in the end decided the extra cost wasn't worth it so I swapped in some stock TJ shafts and those have worked great so far. I spent yesterday hammering it on some rock ledges and they held up fine. That said, I'm going to carry a spare set of TJ shafts with me from now on just in case.

All in all I'm happy with the performance of the combo of gears/locker/tire size.

Keep the yj axle. If you're going to swap out an axle at all, go bigger than the HP30. Adding perches is too much work for what little gains you will get unless you're planning to go SOA, then it may pay off.

Keep the yj axle. If you're going to swap out an axle at all, go bigger than the HP30. Adding perches is too much work for what little gains you will get unless you're planning to go SOA, then it may pay off.

I'm not afraid of the work but it sounds like being able to use my extra YJ axles may be a benefit down the road if I break something.

Not that it matters, I would leave work immediately and start a SOA project if I didn't have the limitation of my garage door in the third car garage. Currently, I have to run 33's because our HOA would discourage vehicles outside and my soft top almost rubs on the garage door as I pull in.

I'll be upgrading to 35's when I can go top less. Unfortunately I'm stuck with SUA for the long term.

I'm not afraid of the work but it sounds like being able to use my extra YJ axles may be a benefit down the road if I break something.

Not that it matters, I would leave work immediately and start a SOA project if I didn't have the limitation of my garage door in the third car garage. Currently, I have to run 33's because our HOA would discourage vehicles outside and my soft top almost rubs on the garage door as I pull in.

I'll be upgrading to 35's when I can go top less. Unfortunately I'm stuck with SUA for the long term.

Nothing wrong with SUA, I keep toying with going SOA and just can't bring myself to pull the trigger. My BDS springs SUA ride and flex too well for me to justify the work.

I'm not afraid of the work but it sounds like being able to use my extra YJ axles may be a benefit down the road if I break something.

Not that it matters, I would leave work immediately and start a SOA project if I didn't have the limitation of my garage door in the third car garage. Currently, I have to run 33's because our HOA would discourage vehicles outside and my soft top almost rubs on the garage door as I pull in.

I'll be upgrading to 35's when I can go top less. Unfortunately I'm stuck with SUA for the long term.

Deflate your tires when you pull the yj into the garage.

Edit: You can't use the axle shafts as spares, it's not a swap you want to do on the trail. If you went one piece and had these as an extra set of one piece that's different but the two piece and one piece are not "hot swappable" in geek terms.